Gov't Launches Construction of an International Airport at Maasai Mara
The government has begun upgrading Angama Airstrip in the Maasai Mara game reserve to an international airport. The move is aimed at directly connecting foreign tourists to the world-famous game reserve, thereby boosting the country’s tourism sector.
The upgrading of the airstrip to a fully operational international airport will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase costing Sh278 million.
Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony at the airstrip on Wednesday, Transport PS Solomon Kitungu said the first phase, which will take 12 months, entails rehabilitating the existing 1,260 meter-long runway and expansion of the width from 18 meters to 25 meters to facilitate code C aircraft operations. It will also include repainting and fencing of the airport to boost security.
In the second phase, the runway will be expanded to 2500 meters in length and the width extended to 30 meters. A VIP lounge will also be constructed.
The government will construct a new runway of 3300 meters long, 45-meter-wide and terminal points in the final phase.
On his part, Tourism PS Sabina Kwekwe said: “This development we have witnessed today will go along in promoting the brand Kenya. We wish to call upon KAA to continue with this job by opening airports in major areas where tourism is key so that they can be equally linked between themselves and other parts of Kenya.”
Comments
Just because Kenyatta has…
Permalink
Just because Kenyatta has bought a ranch there
I think it’s more profitable…
Permalink
I think it’s more profitable to have the tourist’s travel as it were. Arrive Nairobi or Mombasa and depart to Mara via small aircrafts or by road. These tourists are not traveling from the same region of the world and therefore hard to have a plane full of them at a given time.
In my view on the same, I see the government just created some “eating “ avenue. One of the white elephant project. In other words Masai Mara cannot be a direct tourist destination.
Such monies and energy should be diverted into getting every home with water.Build and equip a all local dispensaries and into food security which the country lacks. Not an international airport in the bushes!
💯% agree. What about the…
Permalink
In reply to I think it’s more profitable… by Asista (not verified)
💯% agree. What about the jobs and income from tour vehicles/operators, curio shops that will be lost.
Totally agree on this…
Permalink
In reply to I think it’s more profitable… by Asista (not verified)
Totally agree on this comment. I just visited Mara this summer and instead of airport, invest on local businesses and also stop over places along the route for bathroom breaks and lunch etc. Rich tourists going to Mahali Pazuri and Angama mara and those other luxurious places already fly in via the airstrip at Mara. Also please do not disrupt the wildlife, it is the reason Mara is Mara!
Think Private jets or…
Permalink
In reply to I think it’s more profitable… by Asista (not verified)
Think Private jets or charter.... if done bila corruption It a grand idea... and security too not to mention time..
This is a brilliant idea! I…
Permalink
This is a brilliant idea! I echo it!!!!
What is “Brand Kenya “? Is a…
Permalink
What is “Brand Kenya “?
Is a shoe?
A country is not a brand.
What is “Brand Kenya “? Is…
Permalink
What is “Brand Kenya “?
Is it a shoe?
A country is not a brand.
It's a concept and a good…
Permalink
In reply to What is “Brand Kenya “? Is… by Guesty (not verified)
It's a concept and a good one if well executed. If Kenya dropped corruption as a national pastime, enforced existing laws including traffic laws equally, eliminated bureaucratic bungling and inefficiency, dismantled the cartels, eliminated the incredible amount of paperwork required for everything, cleaned up the streets like Rwanda and became a true meritocracy and improved the road and rail infrastructure it may just work. This is a dream that may remain deferred for a other generation.
Fumba na kujifumbulia haya:…
Permalink
Fumba na kujifumbulia haya:
1. Kedong Ranch, mbayo imeanza na kusambaa kuanzia barabara ya Naivasha South Lake na kutandaa hadi barabara ya Maai-Mahiu hadi Narok, ni ya familia ya Uhuru Kenyatta. Reli ya kisasa iliyonuiwa kutumiwa kubebea mizigo kutoka Mombasa ya SGR, imeishia katika shamba hili.
2. Barabara inayoelekea The Great Rift Valley Lodge, inayopatikana katika kazini mwa Ziwa Naivasha, katika barabara ya North Lake, ilikarabatiwa majuzi tu na fedha za walipa kodi na kuishia nusra katika hoteli hiyo. Hoteli hii inamilikiwa na familia ya Uhuru Kenyatta.
3. Miezi kadhaa iliyota, Uhuru Kenyatta alinunua takriban ekali elfu moja katika za sehemu Maasai Mara. Barabara ya Narok hadi Maasai Mara ingali sasa inakarabatiwa. Uwanja wa ndege wa kimataifa unatarajiwa kujengwa kama ilivyoripotiwa na vyombo vya habari.
Ni mengi ambayo Uhuru Kenyatta anafanya katika jitihada zake za kujinafsisha mwenyewe hasa uongozi wake unapoelekea kufika kikomo. Jifumbulie mafumbo haya mwenyewe.
GREAT, NEW HUB FOR DRUG…
Permalink
GREAT, NEW HUB FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING.
ALSO, DIDN'T UHURU JUST BUY A THOUSAND ACRES??
Back in late December/early…
Permalink
Back in late December/early January, I was in Kenya and Uhuru bought a 1000 acre property in Narok next to Ruto. Now I understand. This is corruption personified - using your position as an insider to make financial decisions based on materially non public information that will affect, in this case, real estate prices. The price of land in the vicinity of the airport is sure to rise due to speculation and development. Uhuru most certainly doesn't need 1000 acres to retire on and had prior knowledge of the airport deal. I somehow doubt that average Narok residents will benefit.
Unajua haujui, Kenya ina…
Permalink
Unajua haujui, Kenya ina wenyewe!
Add new comment